Larry Shenk, Vice President of Alumni Relations, shares his notes, quotes and anecdotes from the world of baseball.

PNC Blues

In less than 24 hours, the Pirates had back-to-back, ninth-inning walk-off wins over the Phillies. Elias Sports Bureau reports it is the first time the Pirates have done that to the Phils since 1978.

The opening weekend in PNC Park showed that the Phillies starting pitching is excellent and the offense is not so excellent. It also resulted in the Phillies 10th series loss in 12 tries at PNC Park. So, the good news, the Phillies won’t be playing there again until next season.

Yesterday, the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. Of the four relievers, only Bastardo didn’t give up a run. There were 105 relief pitchers used in the majors yesterday. 30 gave up runs and 13 were involved in a win, loss or save.

Hey, three games don’t make a season. Shane said don’t panic and he’s right.
No better example of that than are the Rays and Yankees. Tampa Bay swept the opening weekend from New York. Last time the Rays started 3-0 was 2002. They wound up losing a franchise record 106 games. Last time the Yankees began 0-3 was 1998. They went on to win 114 games and the World Series.

Down On The Farm
**Lehigh Valley won three of four. Three relievers picked up saves, RH Michael Schwimer, LH Raul Valdez and RH Phillippe Aumont.

**Reading is 4-0. OF Leando Castro is hitting .467 and leads the organization with five RBI. RH Justin Friend has two saves.

**Clearwater is 1-2. OF Miguel Alvarez is hitting .500.

**Lakewood dropped three of four at Greenville. CF Kyrell Hudson, off to a .125 start, has four steals in four tries. LF Aaron Altherr, .357 with two steals.

Phlashback
April 9, 1913—Phillies win first game played in Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field, 1-0, over the Dodgers. RHP Tom Seaton is the winner. He wound up leading the NL in wins (27), innings (322.1), walks (136) and strikeouts (168).

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